Arlene M. Spencer
Director of International Student and ESL Programs
Arlene M. Spencer, a May 2005 recipient of the State University of New York Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Professional Service for her professional role as Director of International Student and ESL Programs is also a former student at FM.
Mrs. Spencer has earned a B.A. in English/Education and an M.S. in TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) from SUNY Albany. After finishing her master’s degree, she spent a year working for Volunteers in Service to America (VISTA). As a VISTA worker, she initiated a literacy project for inner-city refugees and immigrants in Rochester, NY.
Mrs. Spencer first came to work at FM in 1987 as a full-time instructor of English as a Second Language. She served in that capacity for two years. In 1989, Mrs. Spencer was promoted to Director of International Student and English as a Second Language (ESL) Programs. She continues to serve in that position today.
Within her job description, Mrs. Spencer provides administrative oversight of FM’s ESL program, its curriculum and its staff. Her responsibilities include enrollment management and direct student services. Mrs. Spencer serves as academic advisor to all of FM’s international students, and provides advice and guidance related to careers, course selection, scheduling and transfer. She shows great enthusiasm and dedication to these tasks even after more than eighteen years on the job.
In addition to working directly with students, Mrs. Spencer also serves as FM’s primary Designated School Official for U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. In this capacity, she is responsible for reporting and compliance with immigration regulations.
A lifelong learner and accomplished writer, Mrs. Spencer has contributed to a variety of publications including Language Travel magazine, Education Travel magazine, Study in the USA magazine, Transworld Education magazine and most recently in I-student advisor magazine.
Mrs. Spencer is an active member of NAFSA: Association of International Educators and is currently serving as a co-trainer for the NAFSA Academy in Region X (NY/NJ) and has previously served as the two-year college representative for the region. She is past chair of the SUNY College Admissions Personnel (SUNYCAP) International Student Concerns Committee and has served as a reader for the FIPSE (Fund for the Improvement of Post Secondary Education) Comprehensive Grant Program.
Mrs. Spencer is the recipient of a 1993 Fulbright Scholar Award for International Education Administrators and was selected as a participant for the People to People International Educational Delegation; Educational site visits throughout Vietnam in 1996.
She won the SUNYCAP Professional Achievement Award in 1994.
In her spare time, Ms. Spencer has served the Literacy Volunteers of America. She sat on the Fulton County board of directors from 1989 through 1996 and is the past president of the board. She is also a Christian Educator at The Baptist Church of Northville and has served as a volunteer in the Mohawk Pathways Girl Scout Council from 1989 through 1999.
Mrs. Spencer lives in Mayfield with her husband Greg (also an FM alumnus) and their three children: Matthew, Taylor, and Emily.
